Brown University's Student Population: An Overview

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US. Brown University's undergraduate enrollment in 2023 was 7,741, with a total enrollment of 11,189 students in 2022. The university has a below average overall diversity and a below-average racial-ethnic diversity, with 34.6% of its students being white, 16% Asian, 10.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Black or African American, 6.27% of two or more races, 0.313% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.125% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Undergraduate enrollment

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US.

Brown University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 as of fall 2023. The undergraduate population is made up of 53% women and 47% men. The university received 50,649 undergraduate applications in 2022, with an acceptance rate of 5.06%.

The university has a total enrollment of 11,189 students, including graduate students. The full-time enrollment at Brown University is 10,585, and the part-time enrollment is 604. This means that 94.6% of students enrolled at Brown University are enrolled full-time.

The undergraduate retention rate for full-time students at Brown University was 99%. The four-year graduation rate is 84%, and the six-year graduation rate is 96%.

The median undergraduate tuition at Brown University is $62,680, and the average net price for students, after taking grants and loans into account, is $26,723. In 2022, 47% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 9% received aid through loans.

Graduate enrollment

Brown's Graduate School is part of a larger university that comprises the College, the Alpert Medical School, the School of Engineering, the School of Public Health, and the School of Professional Studies. The university also includes the John Carter Brown Library, which is generally regarded as the world's leading collection of primary historical sources relating to the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

The Graduate School offers around 33 master's and 51 doctoral programs, with an acceptance rate of approximately 9%. The school has an enrollment of about 2,600 students.

Brown University is a leading Ivy League research university with a unique Open Curriculum. The Open Curriculum allows students to pursue rigorous scholarship by designing their educational experience and exploring a range of subjects before selecting an area of focus.

The university is committed to addressing complex global challenges through collaboration between students and faculty. It offers a flexible academic environment, allowing students to declare their majors in their third year and encouraging exploration in both academics and extracurriculars.

Brown's graduate programs include the Warren Alpert Medical School, which offers an eight-year combined baccalaureate-M.D. medical program. The university also has a School of Engineering, which is the oldest in the Ivy League and the third oldest in the country.

With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the School of Engineering connects engineering with biology, medicine, physics, chemistry, humanities, and social sciences.

Brown University's graduate offerings provide a diverse range of academic opportunities for students seeking advanced degrees in various fields.

Racial/ethnic diversity

Brown University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 students as of Fall 2023. The university's total enrollment is approximately 9,948 students, comprising 6,605 undergraduates and 3,008 graduate students.

Brown University has below-average racial/ethnic diversity. The majority of students are White, with external sources reporting that, in 2022, 39% of the undergraduate and graduate student population were White. Other ethnic groups represented include Asian (15.8%), Hispanic or Latino (10.2%), Black or African American (7.04%), students with two or more races (5.39%), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.312%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.131%). It is important to note that international students are not included in these statistics.

The university has recently made efforts to increase diversity through its Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which aims to create a more inclusive community. However, it is unclear whether significant progress has been made since the program's launch in 2016.

In addition to racial diversity, there are notable socioeconomic discrepancies within the student body. Data from 2017 showed that the median family income of a Brown student was $204,200, with 19% of students coming from families in the top 1% of earners and 70% from the top 20%. This indicates that the majority of students come from wealthy families, and efforts to increase socioeconomic diversity are needed.

To address the lack of diversity and inclusion, Brown University can implement several strategies. These include holding regular meetings to discuss campus life topics, utilizing online communication tools such as forums and anonymous polls, organizing outdoor events, and increasing transparency around racial and socioeconomic statistics within university departments and student organizations.

Tuition fees

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 students as of Fall 2023. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its collaborative and engaging academic environment.

For the 2022-23 school year, the tuition and fees for Brown University were $65,146 per year, which is higher than the average for private four-year universities. In addition to tuition, students are also required to pay for room and board, which amounts to an additional $15,840 per year. The total cost of attendance at Brown, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is $83,686 per year.

It's important to note that the cost of attendance may vary for each student depending on their individual circumstances. Direct or billed costs, such as tuition, mandatory fees, room, and meals, are charged directly to the student's account each semester. Indirect costs, such as books, personal expenses, and travel, are not included in the billed costs and vary based on the student's needs.

To help with the financial burden, Brown University offers financial aid to its students. In fact, 55% of students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans. The university has been need-blind for domestic students for nearly 20 years, meaning an applicant's financial background is not considered during the application process. The university is also working towards offering the same need-blind process for international students.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also come from state governments, colleges, universities, private companies, and nonprofits. Scholarships and grants are usually based on academic merit or financial need, while work-study programs and federal student loans provide opportunities for students to earn money or borrow money to fund their education.

It is recommended that students explore all financial aid options, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to determine their eligibility for different types of aid. Additionally, private student loans are available, but it's important to compare the interest rates and repayment terms with federal loan options before making a decision.

Housing

Brown University, a private institution, had a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 students in Fall 2023. The university requires all students to live on campus for their first six semesters, although eligible students may receive permission to live off-campus.

The residential experience at Brown reflects the vibrant and diverse community found at the university. The Office of Residential Life aims to create a meaningful and holistic experience for students, promoting a sense of belonging, supporting healthy practices, and cultivating connections.

First-year housing offers a range of settings and room sizes, with unique features in each building. Housing options include traditional singles, doubles, triples, and suites. There is also Gender-Inclusive First-Year Housing available.

For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, there are Upper-Division residence hall options. Additionally, there are Program, Theme, and Greek Buildings, where floors or sections in some residence halls are allocated to specific organisations.

Special Interest Housing is also available, including same-sex housing, substance-free housing, and the Quiet Hall.

Students seeking off-campus housing can register online to search for housing or roommates. Undergraduates intending to live off-campus must first obtain permission.

Frequently asked questions